Category: Cycling

Monday: Work
Tuesday: Work
Wednesday: Work
Thursday: Work
Friday: Tex’s Spin class at the Oval, packed. Picked up the new cassette from Vita. Evening spinning class as well.
Heard about some agro on a Sunlight ride out to the Saighton 10.
Saturday:  Trip out to the ICF with Paul and the nippers, got offered discount for wearing the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team jacket but refused.
Free WiFi helps in that neck of the woods with the playbarn popular at the weekends. Called in at The Bike Factory and the Specialised Store. Came away empty handed.
Sunday: Late ride out to the Eureka for a BLT. Headed up the Wirral  via Parkgate which was gridlocked, past the Donkey Sanctuary open day only to get held up by all the traffic that couldn’t pass a pony ride. More gridlock at Heswall had me detour via Lower Heswall for a liquid stop at Morrisons in West Kirby.
Followed the coastal cycle route to New Brighton where I hit the stretch of Wirral,s best tarmac, the front by the new development. Gave it the gas to hit 31.9 mph. Never mind David Millar breaking the 20 mph speed limit in a royal park this piece of tarmac is fast.
Back home via Rock Park  and Port Sunlight for 47 miles, turned out nice, no agro, bike worked fine, nice to hear the Mavic whistle at speed.

May as well roll two weeks of posts into one. Last Saturdays ride on the 23rd turned out to be a dead loss Garmin wise as it turned a 20 odd mile ride into a 6 mile ride and this was following a Course to try out the routing software. I’d even considered sunspots affecting the Global Positioning Satellites after listening to a Radio 4 program.
This was after I’d updated the software to 2.20 to fix the previous problem.
Monday: 50 mile ride around the Wirral coast. Started out with the ride showing zero MPH despite putting a new battery in the cadence sensor. Cadence sensor read even if it had been turned off on the Edge 800.  Removing the battery from the cadence sensor was the only way to get things back to normal but looks like another bug in the software. Just like old 705 days this, fix one problem and cause another one.
Other than that, things went well, a bit of a headwind going up the Wirral but cruised down the front at Seacombe  hitting 27 mph at times.

Monday: Work
Tuesday: Work, but left my keys in the locker so had a 60 mile round trip to get them back.
Wednesday: First day off but lost the will to ride, went out in winter bibtights as that is what it looked like but found it warmer than it looked. Headed out to the Eureka for a BLT toastie that Keith Boardman had trouble talking over.  Trying to recover from last weeks efforts with wintergreen on some of the leg muscles.
Bumped into Ray who is trying to get 500 miles in this week, he’s 75, he’s already got 300 in and it’s only Wednesday .
The Eureka Challenge is up on the board which is a timed run up the Steps. Once you’ve ridden them you’ll know where they are. A bit like the Shelf. Headed out to Vita  which was shut when I got there, I thought they were out on a ride. If I was having a bad day these guys where having it a lot worse.
The ride theory was a bit misplaced as they had locked themselves out of the shop going for a bite to eat.  Everything was in the locked shop, the landlord gave them the wrong keys etc etc. I picked them up as I was drinking tea a few doors up. Kicking the door in was a non starter, then a stroke of luck. A chance remark to a passing contractor had the lock drilled out in 15 minutes and a new lock fitted in about another 20.
My bike slid down the wall again picking up another coat of Vita green emulsion. Looks worse than it was but the Helicopter film is definitely going on.  A new Conti  GP4000 was purchased as the Conti Attack is showing it’s 2 year age with cuts to the carcass and the bead delaminating.
The Mavic spoke key I ordered from the Bike Factory a while back proved to be the wrong one after all the palava of getting it. Got a card off the Postie saying I need to pick up the carbon fibre stem. Fitted the new tyre and called it a day.
Had planned a spin for Thursday but it looks like a trip to the postie and BF in Chester are in order.
Dave’s efforts on the Vita ride on last Saturday went down well. I did think it would be totally bonkers, this weeks ride is supposed to be a bit slower. 12 turned up which is a good number for virtually word of mouth, Shaun should get some credit for this.
Home to protect the legs.
Thursday: Headed down to the post office to pick up the carbon stem only to find it was a carbon wrap as I hadn’t read the description properly.  A trip to the Bike Factory took longer than it should for a Mavic spoke key.
Booked a spinning class in West Kirby.
Friday: Had planned to get out early but spent about 3 hours trying to get the Dummies Guide page sorted on what was one of the best days of the year so far.
I’ve had a comment from RidewithGPS.com so needed to sort the Routing out.
The Eureka beckoned so it was plan a Course with RidewithGPS.com and see how it performed in action and when tested by going off Course.
As it turned out it stuck the Coursepoints on the turns and alerted you if you went off Course.  The only fly in the ointment is the CoursePoint is directly on the junction which has been a problem from day 1.
Had a BLT toastie at the Eureka and then headed back home via Vita. The Vita ride on a Saturday  may be a none starter again as I have to pick a shock absorber first thing as VW parts shut at midday.

Saw the Youtube Boris Bikes spinning class yesterday, brilliant. Deserves to go viral.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZjAfcg2ZJk

Monday: Tex,s spinning class at the Oval. Not as bad as last Tuesdays class which was 45 minutes of climbing which wrecked my knees for the week. Today was 4 minute intervals with 90 seconds of rest.
Weights after that, one of the girls said she nearly fainted in the class as it was that tough.
Trip to Vita to get a new Conti GP4000 which is heavier than the Attack that is coming off after yesterdays slow puncture. Carbon bars are now back on the bike but having a bit of trouble with the Nokon cable lengths. A lightweight inner tube went bang on me too.
Faffed around when i should have been getting stuck into the house but the Dummies Guide to the Edge 800 is now live but is going to need a lot of honing.
Contributions welcome.
Things are slowly getting better, the fitness is begining to return.
The links I get continue to amaze me such is the power of a Google search.
Need to sort out some of the links on early posts as the Steve Cummings Training Ride no longer exists as I posted it to MotionBased, now defunct.

Tuesday: Spinning at the Oval by the looks of things.
Spinning it was with the card breaking in two trying to get out of the back pocket. Turned out to be a very 70’s retro class music wise, first off was Gloria Gaynor “I will survive” then “Boogie Nights” followed by Tiger Feet.
Card got replaced and booked another class for tonight.

Lidl have got their Cycling offers  on at the moment.
http://www.lidl.co.uk
It’s OK if you looking for the basics . The £5 toolkit has a pair of tyre levers in it that won’t get a tyre off the rim.
Wednesday: Last day off, ride day.
Spent most of the morning getting the No1 bike in order  with the carbon bars fitted with re- extended Nokon cables along with new inners and new bar tape. I’ve been spoilt by trying the new Groupsets with a flat bar transistion, be it 105, Ultegra or Dura-Ace they all felt the same.
That said it’s all about the ride, felt good in  the big ring when I could see the cadence figures.
First time since November under 100 KG  and can’t  remenber things being this bad for a long, long time.

30 odd miles , 2 bike shops, there is only one Cafe stop and Rest Hill to boot.

Nothing stupid planned yet!
Thursday: Work.
Friday: Work. Picked up Cycling Plus on the way home  with the Neil Pryde bike on the front of it. A GPS review had the Edge 800 coming out top but overall the review again lacked a bit of substance.  The refurbed 705 is back too, turned around in a week so can’t complain about the service.
Saturday: Work.  A couple of things to sort out on Edge 800 routing for the guide. May look at sticking a half hour ride in after work when the clocks go forward. Magicshine bits came in the post from HongKong, cheap as chips.
Sunday: Booked a days holiday. Still the same weight  which is good.
Went to Chester and saw the spring high tide on the River Dee, it submerged the jetty for the rowing club.

Monday: Last day of the month at work so the pressure was on to get things sorted. Then comes the problem of what to do on my four days off. I’ve set myself a target of 120 miles for the week, which is 30 miles a day.  In an ideal world this would be over in 2 hours with the rest of the day to do all the other stuff.
Spent  some time looking at spares for the Magicshine and new Themes for the blog as the ones above annoy me but I don’t seem to be able to do much about it and it’s not for the lack off trying.
I’ve picked up a bit of sinusitis which feels like I’ve got a broken nose.
Tuesday: Up early with the intention of doing a spinning class or a ride. The Toy got cleaned and the Crud Roadracer mudguards got fitted or at least the back one with a bit of cutting. No such luck with the front one. Missed the spinning classes but did give the sinusitis a bit of treatment with Menthol and Tea Tree Oil in a bowl of water. It proved to be surprisingly effective.

First section of the ride was to see Colin Brick at Wheelbase, here I learnt Mavic haven’t had a presence in the UK for the last 3 years due to the likes of Wiggle and ChainReaction under cutting dealers with grey imports.

Forced to stop in Rock Ferry (not something you’d do if you had a choice) to secure the MagicShine battery. Got asked if I was racing in Birkenhead Park as I still had my Etape number on, that would be some race.

Next stop was Vale Park for a tea and cake stop. A chap walks up the hill with a Great Dane that you would have to measure in hands it was that big. The other dogs didn’t want to go near it. I had taken a shot of the new Liverpool waterfront but as I had taken the SD  card out of the camera it didn’t come out for some reason. Below are the swans on the boating lake, it would have been better if they didn’t associate humans with food.

http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/66215469

Next stop was Brian’s in Moreton to book the Polo in for the anti-rollbar to be changed. Talked bikes, the motorised kind,helped out on one of oddball jobs that he seems to attract. Then it was off on the bike to Hoylake, a bit of traffic bringing out what commuters must see everyday, bad driving.

West Kirby brought out the inner chimp, do I listen to the chimp and go through Caldy Village or head up Hilbre View and Column Drive. The critical point was the turn off to Banks Road. The chimp lost and it was up Hilbre View, the weight I’ve put on recently really telling.  Same thing at Montgomery Hill, I’m getting up OK but nothing like I was. Could be worse I remember times when I had to stop.  Next stop was Vita cycles in Irby but that will have to be tomorrow as it’s getting late.

http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/66339415

‘http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/66339415’

Thursday:  Had me fitting the Crud Roadracer Mudguards to the  Toy before heading out to the Eureka, now open on Thursdays and Fridays.

Friday: Last chance of a ride and by what  I’m seeing  on Facebook and Twitter  no one wants to risk it going out in the wind. Headed out on Route  56 and it wasn’t too bad until I turned into Talbot Road where I was downto 6 mph. Arrived at the Eureka just after 10 for another breakfast. The word needs to go out that they are open as I saw riders on Thursday doing a loop down Denhall lane when the Cafe is only a mile or so down the road.

Called in to see Keith at Eureka Cycle Sports and then it was on to the Bike Factory to pick up the Mavic spoke holding tool. Our new cycle crossing across the Dee is down the pan as the money has to be spent by March, come to think of it what happened to all the other cycling facilities promised, a big let down from Chester City Council.
I got blown to Chester at 23 mph in places the trouble was finding a sheltered route back. After leaving the Bike Factory it was time to take to the cycle route out to Sealand but coming off at the Blacon exit.  Through Upton and over the A5117 where I was back down to 6 mph again as it’s very exposed.

More cars than bikes back at the Eureka with the wind back in my favour if I take the right route. I’m well up on the mileage target and now 150 miles plus seems do-able. Left the Cafe and headed to Neston with a strong buffeting in places. Took to the Wirral Way at Parkgate to be met with a fallen tree, below.

The Wirral Way being a disused railway lin from the Beeching closures is really sheltered on a day like this, had the mudguard clog up a few times but it is really close fitting. Called in at Morrisons in West Kirby for an afternoon tea and found it quite quiet. Once on the  front at  Hoylake I got blown along until Leasowe lighthouse. Normally I come off the sea defences here but continued on knowing it can get a bit soft.

http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/66594924

Probably my biggest week for a long time, 162.5 miles in 4 days. If you can call  Deeside, Wales I got into Wales for the first time this year, next stop some hills. If that is to happen I’m going to have to take some nutrition as once off the beaten track there is nothing out there for you.

Bit of a quiet week this week with only 37 miles under the belt. It did incorporate a Eureka Cafe stop and four bike shops. Cleaned the dirty Toy before I set out only to get it dirty again within a couple of hundred yards.

Sunny on the way out with a bit of a chill in the air it was another trip for the Shimano MW80 mountainbike boots. I’m really impressed with these as the battle with cold is about 50% won with warm feet and these stay warm all day with no overshoes. Got home to read a good review of them in Cycle, the CTC magazine which was waiting for me when I got in.

Once sated with a Eureka breakfast and the banter you only get at the Eureka it was time to head out for the purpose of the ride, a Mavic spoke holding tool. Took the Dee cycle path which was really quiet. One of the sights you get see which is unique is an A380 Airbus wing about to make it’s way by barge to Toulouse. No barge today but the loading is a sight worth seeing.

Once at Chester it was a trip around the Racecourse. I’d say this was one of Chester,s cycling secrets. It brings you out below the Courts and The Groves.

First up was the EdgeCycleworks, some nice Treks in there with Endura clothing. None of the highend stuff which is probably a good thing. Next up was Maplins for an Edge cadence sensor battery. £3.49 was a bit steep I thought.
Bike Factory next where the Mavic spoke holder was ordered. Caters for all abilities but there is some top end kit from Trek and Pinnarello. Next up was the Specialised Concept store, Grahame Cummings invited me to bring the Toy inside(I liked that).  Some nice kit including a Specialised Shiv that looks like it breaks the UCI 3:1 rule.
Might end up taking one of the demo bikes out at one stage to see if the zerts inserts in the seatstays work.

Next up was Keith at Eureka Cycle Sports. Here the new opening times for the Eureka were confirmed. From next week the Eureka is open on a Thursday and a Friday, use it or lose it.  I also got around to explaining about Twitter and 4Square. Twitter can work really well for a cafe or restaurant as I follow a few Wirral ones.

There’s the rub most of us are walking in with Smartphones and Satnavs, the Garmin bleep is quite distinctive at the Eureka. A bit like this site you need to stay with the times.

 
http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/65709383

Ride home was a bit bleak as narrow roads mean traffic can’t pass you cleanly and even on the dual carriageways traffic bunched due to the traffic lights. Once off it you are fine.

Next stop was Willaston for a Lucozade Sport as I’ve spent too much time yapping in bikeshops.  Perusing the post cards  in the Post Office window was one offering brazilians and other topiary. Where’s this leading you may ask.Well I’ve finally secumbed to some of the fake replica kit from Hong Kong.  Lycra doesn’t last forever even if it does have a Nike logo on it. No one is ever going to tell you your shorts are semi transparent in a certain light.
That should be the back row of the spinning class spared but just as easily applies to a club ride. Thinking about it, at least in a spinning class you can look the other way, on someones wheel your pretty much stuck with the view.

The shorts seem well made with a coolmax pad that seems a step up from the cheapest versions. Most of the top teams seem to have been copied with options of winter kit which in it’s original form is hard to get hold of or for team use only.

Had the battery fail on the laptop with two 18650 cells going down. These are the same cells used by the MagicShine  bikelight so I’ve ordered 4 from Dealextreme to be made into a new battery pack. A pattern battery for the laptop cost £50 from a UK supplier.
The battery failure is not a good sign for all those new electric cars coming onto the market as it’s useing the same technology.

Thought I’d add a bigger picture of the missing cobbles near the One O’clock Gun.
Thursday: Spinning class at the Oval followed by a trip to Birkenhead . I thought I’d overpaid for the cadence sensor battery as I picked a card of eight up in a £1 shop. Mind you I wouldn’t leave a £3K bike outside.
Managed to get Keith signed up for FourSquare in the afternoon with the Eureka to follow soon. Twitter is on the cards too. One advantage is your probably going to know what the soup is going to be on a given day.